AUGUSTA – Josh West hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter and suddenly, Valley’s sluggish start was a thing of the past.

The No. 3 Cavaliers scored 23 points in the second quarter, after managing just six in the first, on their way to a 54-34 win over No. 5 North Haven in a Western Class D boys’ quarterfinal Saturday.

“We are used to playing at 7:30 at night, so going from 7:30 at night to 8:30 in the morning is kind of tough,” said West, who finished with 16 points. “It’s a tough transition.”

The Cavaliers improve to 15-4 and advance to play No. 2 Forest Hills in the regional semifinals Wednesday. No. 6 North Haven ends the season 9-7.

Both teams were sluggish in the early going of this early morning affair. The Cavaliers turned the ball over three times before scoring their first point and didn’t record their first field goal until 3 minutes, 49 seconds remained in the first quarter. North Haven managed just five points in the quarter, and the teams combined for just two field goals.

Valley finally got started in the second quarter, going on a 11-2 run to take a 17-9 lead. West and Seth Malloy each scored five points during the run and hit a 3-pointer.

“I don’t know if we can use (the 8:30 start) as an excuse,” Valley Coach Wade Morrill said. “We were just a little out of rhythm.”

Valley was unable to get leading scorer Carrington Miller going, as North Haven focused its defense on the 6-foot-1 guard. So the Cavaliers put Miller in the post and were able to get open looks for their perimeter shooters. Guards Caleb Wade and West took advantage, scoring eight and seven points in the second quarter, respectively, as Valley outscored North Haven 23-10.

“We just started moving the ball more,” said Miller, who finished with nine points. “Getting the ball in the post more and attacking and giving it up.”

North Haven went on an 8-3 run to end the third quarter to get within 10 at 37-27. The Cavaliers one hoop during the run was a 3-pointer by Malloy, who finished with eight.

“Seth Malloy, that is his role, to stick those 3s,” Wade said. “Him hitting those was good.”

Valley went 11 for 11 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to ice the win. Wade went 6 for 6 and West was 5 for 5.

Riley Venger finished with 16 points for North Haven.

Scott Martin – 621-5618
smartin@centralmaine.com